Zingarelli Research Lab

The Zingarelli Laboratory is focused on the investigation of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of sepsis, trauma and hemorrhagic shock, which are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in intensive care units. A particular goal of her research has been to define the mechanisms of metabolic recovery and innate immune responses mediated by the nuclear hormone receptors peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) and by the AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK), which are major regulators of the glucose and lipid metabolism. In dissecting the dysmetabolic mechanisms of organ injury, the Zingarelli laboratory has discovered that key molecules of the mitochondrial retrograde signaling, such as humanin, may contribute to the regulation of metabolic recovery of damaged organs. Research efforts also focus on understanding the role of aging on the clinical course of infections, severe hemorrhage and trauma. The laboratory employs a multidisciplinary approach combining in vivo and in vitro experimental models in genetically modified rodents and cell lines. These models are also utilized as a translational research platform to screen novel pharmacological compounds that can modulate the molecular mechanisms of organ function. The goal is to identify specific therapeutic interventions for pediatric, adult and elderly patients.

The Zingarelli Laboratory is also collaborating with several basic science and translational studies at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. In collaboration with Takahisa Nakamura, PhD of the Division of Endocrinology and Jennifer Kaplan, MD, MS, of the Division of Critical Care Medicine, the Zingarelli Laboratory explores critical pathways of cell signaling and reprogramming of innate immune responses through release of extracellular vesicles in obesity and sepsis.

Ongoing projects are primarily funded by multiple grants from the National Institutes of Health.